Shunsuke Nakamura hails Russell Latapy
The Herald
Shunsuke Nakamura has committed himself to phase three of the Gordon Strachan era at Celtic and has promised to be better than ever. The Japanese playmaker was shortlisted for the Scottish Professional Footballers' Association player of the year award, in association with Royal Mail, but despite inevitable interest from across Europe after his Champions League exploits, Nakamura allayed the fears of Celtic fans by expressing his contentment in Scotland.
Nakamura has not only illuminated Parkhead at the highest level of club football this season but has also fully adjusted to the demands of the Bank of Scotland Premierleague. His winning goal against Manchester United encapsulated his worth to Gordon Strachan's side and enhanced his iconic status among the supporters.
He has won praise from Sir Alex Ferguson and caught the attention of Europe's elite club but plans on providing an even greater contribution next season, when Celtic face a renewed challenge from their Old Firm rivals, Rangers, and attempt to build on this season's historic progression past the Champions League group stages.
"If I feel I can be in the condition to improve then I will definitely stay," said Nakamura yesterday, having been nominated along with Artur Boruc, Lee Naylor and Aberdeen's Russell Anderson by his peers. "The main thing is the fans can make players improve with their support. We have learned a lot and we have a great chance of doing even better next season."
Strachan has already acclaimed Nakamura's obsessive approach to the game. He celebrated his matchwinning free-kick against Manchester United with a work-out in the Parkhead gym and the manager has cited him as the highest example of a modern-day footballer. He also revealed he was more concerned by the barely detectable errors made during the victory than basking in the glory of a free-kick described by the former Celtic player, Davie Provan, as the best he has ever seen.
"It was a huge goal but more in terms of the importance of qualification from the group stages rather than individual skill," he said modestly. "It was a dead-ball after all. I was more concerned at that point thinking about the mistakes I made in the match and what I should have done in some instances."
Manchester United's subsequent mauling of AS Roma in the quarter-finals has made Celtic's feats in the Champions League all the more creditable. It has also set a benchmark for future achievement. "I have played Roma before and they are a very strong side," said the man signed from Reggina. "Watching the Manchester United game was a surprise but then they played really well and maybe were in better condition. We have lots to be proud of because we only lost 3-2 at Old Trafford and won at Celtic Park. It shows we can compete at that level and now we have to learn from our experiences and improve for next season."
His magical skills and dead-ball expertise have earned the highest praise, and been recognised by his fellow professionals. Nakamura has acknowledged a kindred spirit further down the league by offering his vote to Russell Latapy. The Falkirk midfielder may be approaching 40 but Nakamura is a fan of his timeless skills, and gave high praise to an artist at the other end of the age scale.
"I voted for Russell Latapy because he has proper skills and you do not see many players like him," he explained. "It's special when you are voted for by your fellow professionals and I am delighted about it. It is something you cannot get, though, without the help and support of your team-mates, and I will not forget that.
"I am really happy at Celtic and we have some really good players here. Aiden is a young talent with a great future ahead of him but we have a blend of youth and experience, which is important if we want to develop as a team."
